Race Report ---- Mesa Sprint Triathlon

It's been nearly a week since the Mesa Sprint Triathlon I was in, so I thought I would post a quick recap of the race.  First of all the race directors, volunteers and everyone involved in putting on the race are great. 

To start the morning off, I was able to sleep pretty well the night before.  I arrived at the race location and unloaded my bike.  Set up a quick transition area and received my timing chip and was body marked.  After all of that there was a quite awhile before the race would start.  I took the time to warm up, running around the track, where the race would finish while staying hydrated with Eternal Water.  The race started off by lining up by cones with projected swim finish times attached to them.  I lined up in the 9:30 line. While waiting in line I took in a CarbBOOM gel to get me on through the bike. Racers were being sent off every ten seconds. The swim was a serpentine lap course. I just focused on my swim stroke and trying to remain calm.   

After the swim, jumped out the of water and ran to my bike.  I placed my gear out to a fast transition but for some reason just ended up playing out in slow motion.  Headed off on the 12 mile bike course, a four mile loop three times around.  I took the first mile or so to get situated and get my heart rate under control.  I used a set of Cat Ears ear covers to divert the wind noise created by my helmet, which worked out perfect. I used the time on the bike to get a few CarbBOOM gels in me washing them down with HoneyMaxx orange favored drink. Over the bike course I felt very strong and kept my average speed at 19 MPH. 

Got off my bike and put on my running shoes.  I had a bit of a problem with the sand and gravel in the parking lot where the transition was set up.  I wiped the bottom of my feet as good as I could and slipped them in my shoes, going without socks. I kept monitoring my Suunto Ambit2 with my heart rate.  I remember the run from a year ago as it was the same course, so I knew how far from the finish I was. On the 3.1 mile run I only consumed water that was provided on the course. 

I had set a goal in my head to finish faster than my last year time on this same course.  That did not happen, but I had fun in trying.  I entered the race know of my torn MCL and it seem to hold up pretty well during the race wearing the spider tech kinesiology tape helping support my knee.   

Thank you to Eternal Water, CarbBOOM gel, HoneyMaxx, Orange Mud, Suunto, Spider Tech, Cat Ears, Barracuda USA andUdderly Smooth